This Dec. 8, 1966 file photo shows science fiction writer Ray Bradbury looks at a picture that was part of a school project to illustrate characters in one of his dramas in Los Angeles.

Ray Bradbury was a local celebrity when I was growing up in Southern California. Sure, he had a national reputation, but to us, he was the local author who got trotted out to lots of events, including Career Day at the University of Redlands, when I was then working as a features editor and photographer for the campus newspaper, The Bulldog.

My candid photo of Ray Bradbury, featuring a diabolical smile that made him look a lot like Jack Nicholson, ran on the front page next to the story by a staff writer. Oddly enough, his advice is just as good today as it was back then.

“Explode every morning, put yourself back together each night,” he said, describing his passion for life.

He talked about Mr. Electro, whom he called a “fantastic creator of marvels.” A magician, Mr. Electro sat in his electric chair every night and was electrocuted in front of all the people, young and old, of Waukegan, Illinois, where Bradbury grew up. When the electricity shot through body, his arm shot up, sword in hand, and he knighted all the boys who’d come to see him.

Bradbury recalled how Mr. Electro touched his forehead with the sword, and said, “Live Forever!”Read more…